Space heating and ventilating apparatus



. 2, 1952 G. B. CUNNINGHAM SPACE HEATING AND VENTILATING APPARATUS 3Sheets-Sheet 1 "iled NOV. 2, 1949 IN VENTOR ATTORNEY- 6. cumvwaflmnINVENTOR 660/? a. cu/vwmaflfim ATTORNEYS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 G B CUNNINGHAMSPACE HEATING AND VENTILATING APPARATUS I Dec. 2, 1952 Filed Nov. 2,1949 1952 G. B. CUNNINGHAM 2,619,953

SPACE HEATING AND VENTILATING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 2, 1949 3Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 2, 1952 SPACE HEATING ANDVENTILATING APPARATUS George B. Cunningham, signor to Cunningham apartnership Application November 2, 1949, Serial No. 125,021

Birmingham, Ala., as- Engineering Company,

8 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for space heating and ventilating,particularly to apparatus adapted to be mounted in an opening in a roomsuch as in the wall or ceiling thereof and has Referring now to thedrawings for a better understanding of my invention I show an opening ina room defined by a rectangular wooden frame It. For convenience ofdescription,

for an object the provision of apparatus of the 5 throughout thisspecification and the claims, character designated which shall include afuel the opening will be considered as being in the burning heatingunit, together with controlled. ceiling of a room opening upwardly abovethe means for supplying fuel thereto. ceiling and downwardly through theceiling and A further object of my invention is to provide the terms inthe specification and claims indicatapparatus which shall include areversible elecg t e parts are above below Others a tric fan mounted ina suitable frame and adapted intended to refer to their location asshown in when operating in one direction to ventilate the the drawings.It will be obvious that the appaspace and in the other direction to heatit, toratus may be mounted in an opening in the wall gether with a fuelburning heating unit and a of a room and Operate as well as if locatedin system of shutters associated with the fan so e e It w b o d t a t erectangular mounted as to divert the current of air generated frame I0is of considerable depth which is of by the fan, when running in areverse direction, importance, as will be shown hereinafter, in the overthe heating unit and into the space to be p r i n of h ppar re r und t eheated. lower boundary of the frame I0 is a metal frame A still furtherobject of my invention is to I I made f u ur l an le wi h n flan Haprovide space heating and ventilating apparatus e t d horizontally to jthe frame It a d which shall include a fuel burning heating unit the o hr flange I2 ex endin v r i allytogether with means to supply fuel to theheat- Pivo ally moun ed in he ups ndin flan l2 ing unit operable onlywhen the fan is operating 0f the frame II a a plurality of shutters in adirection for heating. 5 The shutters l3 are mounted on rods M whichOther objects of my invention are to provide extend transversely of theframe It! and through apparatus of the character designated which shalle fla s l as shown in the Outer n s be simple of design, economical ofmanufacture, of t r ds t being slightly upset as shown at reliable andsafe in operation, and one which t in O d r o prevent the rods fromWorking Out may be readily mounted in an opening in a room. 0f theflanges The pp side of each f the In my co-pending application SerialNo. 87,330, shutters I3 is grooved as shown at I! to span filed April13, 1949, I have shown, described and and cover the adjacent rod l4 andthereby form claimed heating and Ventilating apparatus h h a tightclosure. Secured to each of the shutters includes an electric heatingelement, a reversible 3 hear the ends thereef p braekets electric fan,and means to divert the current of I3 and Seeured t0 the brackets 18 isa shut air generated by the fan over and through the Operating bar d s ud to e b e heating element when the fan is operating in I9 is a shutteroperating bar 22. It will be seen the direction for heating, Theprincipal i that when the shutter operating bars are actuprovement in mypresent in e ti over th t ated to the left, as shown in Fig. 3, theshutters therein described and claimed is that .I provide Will he Openedt0 the position shown in 5 means for utilizing a fuel burning heatingeleand. when moved to the right, the shutters will ment therein. beclosed. It will be seen also from Fig. 3 that Apparatus embodyingfeatures of my in ti the shutters l3 do not serve to close the entire isillustrated in the accompanying drawings, space b d y the lectahgumrframe but forming a part of this application, in which: 5 that h re is aopening 23 al n ne ide of Fig. 1 is a plan view of the apparatus as itis the frame not closed by the shutters. The inner mounted in an openingin the ceiling of a room; e f the Opening 3 is bounded y an angle Fig. 2is an end elevation of the apparatus with member 24 having an p d edge,as shown parts broken a a nd in cti in Fig. 4 which is engaged by thecurved outer Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line edge of thelast shutter I3 when the shutters are III-III of Fig. 1; closed.Preferably, a strip of sound deadening Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectionalview taken along a l slleh as shOWn at 26 in gand Figthe line IV- IV ofFig, 1; 5, is placed adjacent the pivot of each of the Fig. 5 is adetail sectional elevation of a shutshutters and along the angle 24 tobe eng ter in open position; s5 by the lip of a closing shutter.

Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram; The shutters l3 are moved toward an openFig. 7 is a front view of the control switches; position by means of auni-directional motor 21 and having an operating arm 28 connected bymeans Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line m of a link 29 tothe shutter operating bar 22. For

VIIIVIII of Fig. 7.

convenience of installation, the arm 28 may be made adjustable as tolength by means of providing .a lower section 28a joined to the uppersection by means of bolts 3| passing through slotted holes in therespective sections. The opening movement of the arm 28 is adjustablylimited by means of a screw 32 passing through a bracket 33 mounted on asuitable stationary part of the apparatus. The screw 32 is held inadjusted position by means of a lock 'nut '34. The arm 28 and shutteroperating bar 22 are moved toward a closing position of the shutters bymeans of a spring 36 connected to the arm 28 and to a suitablestationary part of the apparatus.

Mounted on top of the frame [0, over the shutters I3 is a plate 31having an upwardly extending frusto-conical portion defining an openingand forming a fan casing. Extending across the casing and joined to theplate 31 are a pair of angle bars 4 l and 42 and extending acrossandjoined to the angle bars 41 and 42 is a plate 43 forming afan.support. Mounted on the plate 43 and secured thereto is an upperbearing 44 and on the underside of the plate .is a lower bearing 46 fora fan shaft 4! which extends through both bearings. Mounted on the upperend of the shaft 4'! is a spider 48 to which the blades 49 of a fan aresecured. Mounted on the lower end of the shaft 41, under the plate .31is a pulley 5|. The fan is driven by means of a reversible electricmotor .52 mounted over the plate 31 near one corner of the frame I!)with its shaft extending downwardly through the plate 3! and with apulley 53 on the lower end thereof which drives the fan 53 through thepulley 5| and a belt 54. It will be seen, with the fan mounted as shownin Figs. 1 and 3, when operating in one direction, with the shutters itopen, there is a free passage of air upwardly through the shutters andoutof the space with which the apparatus is associated .to ventilate it.When operating in the other direction, with the shutters l3 closed, airis forced downwardly against the shutters, which form, with the plate3'! and frame In, a plenum chamber 40.

As shown in Figs. .1, 3 and i, the fan is mounted to one side of theframe If), centrally over the opening controlled by the shutters l3.Along the other side of the frame In there is rovided an opening 5] inthe plate 3'! over which is mounted a heating unit housing 58. As shown.in Figs. 1 to 4, the housing 58 is generally rectangular in shape andnarrows downwardly at the bottom, having an opening '59 therein whichregisters with the opening 5'! in the plate 31. The housing 58 issecured to the plate 31 as shown in Fig. 4. The upper roof 6| of thehousing 58 slopes upwardly as shown in Fig. 2 from one end to the other,and at its higher end is joined to a housing 62 which extends across theadjacent side of the frame Hi and is connected at its opposite end :bymeans of a downwardly extending conduit 63 to the plenum chamber 40.Joined to the bottom of the heating unit housing 58, along the opening'51, is a hot air duct 64 which extends downwardly through the frame I!)and discharges out through the opening 23. Communicating with the plenumchamber to are screened openlugs 66 through the wall of the hot airduct. A partition 6-! is joined at its lower end to the inner wall ofthe hot air duct 64 along the lower edge of the screened openings 66 andextends upwardly therefrom to divide the hot air duct into two passages.

Mounted within the heating unit housing 58 is a combustion chamber Hwhich extends from end to end of the housing 58 but which is smaller incross section whereby to form an air passage 12 which extends all aroundthe combustion chamber, between it and the wall of the housing 58. Thecombustion chamber H and housing 58 have common end walls i0 and 8E].The upper edge of the partition 6! is joined to the lower side ofthecombustion chamber H so that air from the plenum chamber 53 passesthrough the screened opening 36, thence upwardly through the air passage12 over the top of the combustion chamber H, and thence downwardlythrough passage 73 on the other side of the combustion chamber to jointo the hot air duct (it. Mounted within the combustion chamber H is .agas burner I4 in the form of a pipe having burner openings i5 along theupper side thereof and which extends through the end wall it of thecombustion chamber toward the other end thereof.

Gas is supplied to the burner M from a conduit l1 and is controlled by asolenoid operated valve 1'8 in a manner to be described later. Secondaryair for combustion may be supplied through openings and 8542. A conduit89 is joined to the conduit ii, ahead of the valve 18, and leads to apilot light 3i located within the combustion chamber for igniting thefuel admitted to the burner I4, when required. Associated with the pilotlight 3! is a pilot control device 82 which serves to out off the supplyof fuel to the burner 14 when the pilot light goes out, in a manner tobe described later. Also associated with the fuel supply is an over-heatcut off switch 83 embodying a thermocouple 84 which extends into theheating unit housing 58 above the combustion chamber H and operates in amanner to be described later. Access may be had to the pilot light andto the combustion chamber through outer, removable observation doors 8tand 8.! in the wall of the housing 58 and in the wall of the combustionchamber H. The gases of combustion pass outwardly of the combustionchamber H through a flue 88 which extends from the combustion chambermidway its ends through the housing 58 and thence through the housing 62to the atmosphere. Preferably, spiral baflies 89 are secured on theouter surface of the flue 88 to cause the air, when heating, to pass ina spiral path around the flue to the heater housing 58. Within theheater housing at the side of the combustionchamber H is a bafiie member9| which diverts the air coming through the housing .62 downwardlythrough the hot air duct .64.

Referring now to Figs. 6, 7 and 8 inclusive, the electrical controls formy improved heating and ventilating apparatus will be described.Electric current for operating the various devices is supplied from aline circuit Mil, Hi2. Connected to the circuit lDi, W2 is a circuitI63, I04 for the reversing motor 52 which drives the fan. Interposed inthe circuit i3, 104 a reversing switch Hi6. The shutter operating motor21 is connected through a transformer m5 having a secondary motorcircuit it? to a circuit i558, Hi9, connected in turn to the line Mil,Hi2. interposed in the circuit 508, M9 is a switch H-l which isconnected through a common operating shaft I I2 to the reversing switchm6 so as to be operated in unison with the reversing switch. The circuitI38, IE9 is arranged to energize the motor 2! and open the shutters 53when the motor 52 is energized to operate the fan in a direction forventilating or cooling the space with which it is-associated. When thereversing switch IE6 is turned to tion, the switch the position forthe-motor 52 to run in the opposite direction, the shutters I3 areclosed by means 'of the spring 36, as previously described. The

fuel valve 18, the pilot light control 82, and the over heat controldevice 83 are all arranged in series in a circuit I08, I I3 in which isinterposed a switch H4. The fuel valve I8 is operated by means of asolenoid I I6 which (when the circuit I08, H4 is closed, serves to openthe valve. In-

' cluded in the pilot valve control device 82 is a thermocouple I I Iwhich operates, should the pilot light 8I go out, to interrupt thecircuit I08, I I3,

al'associated with the over heat cut off switch I 83 will interrupt thecircuit I08, H3 and cause the fuel valve I8 to be closed. The fuelsupply control and safety devices just described are well knowncommercially available devices and form no part of my present invention.Accordingly, they are not described in detail.

One of the important features of my invention is the mounting of theswitch H4 in the casing I I I8 of the reversing switch I06, as shown inFig.

8. Included in the reversing switch I 06 is a disc I II 9 carrying apointer I 2I indicating the position of the switch. Formed in the disc II9 is a notch I22 in position to receive the operating handle of theswitch H4 and permit it to close only when the reversing switch I06 isturned to that position which causes the motor 52 to run ina directionfor operating the apparatus for space heating. When the switch H4 cannotbe closed and the heating unit cannot be put in operation.

From the foregoing description, the operation of my improved apparatuswill be readily understood. When it is desired to use the apparatus.

for'space cooling or ventilating, the pointer I2I .is turned to theposition C shown in Fig. 7, in

which position the reversing switch I06 energizes the motor 52 tooperate the fan 50 in a direction to draw air upwardly through the frameI0. In

that position of the reversing switch I66, the

switch I I I is closed which causes the motor 21 to be energized throughthe circuit I01, I 03, I09 and effects opening of the shutters I 3. Itwill be seen that when thus operating, there is a free passage for theair to pass upwardly through the open shutters and out of the space withwhich the apparatus is associated. Whenever it is desired to use theapparatus for heating, the pointer I2! of the reversing switch I 05 isturned to the position H as shown in Fig. 7 which brings the notch I22opposite the operating handle of the switch H4. The switch I I4 can thenbe closed to bring about the admission of fuel to the combustionchamber. Also, in this position, the circuit H18, I09 to the shutteroperating motor 21 is open, thereby causing the shutters I3 to be closedby the spring 36, as already described. The fan 58 is now operating in adirection to force air downwardly into the plenum chamber 4% from whichit passes through the screened opening 55 into the passage I2, aroundthe combustion chamber,

within the housing 58, and downwardly through the passage 13 and outthrough the opening 23 to the space to be heated. Air also passes fromthe plenum chamber 40 upwardly through the conduit 63 and housing 62,around the outlet flue 88 from whence it enters the housing 58 andpasses downwardly under the bafiie 9 I to the outlet 23.

While I have described the fuel to be employed I06 is turned to anyother positioned opening,

as gas it will be obvious that oil may be utilized by substitutingappropriate burning devices in the combustion chamber.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have devised a combinedheating and ventilating apparatus which is simple of design andoperation and which includes a fuel burning heating unit.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptibleof various changes and modifications, without departing from the spiritthereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall beplaced thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a combined heating and ventilating apparatus adapted for mountingin an opening in a room, a frame adapted to be disposed around theopening, a cover over the frame having an opening therein with a fancasing extending outwardly therefrom and a second opening in said coverextending along one side of the frame adjacent the first mentionedopening, a fuel burning heating unit mounted over and communicating withthe second opening and having a duct for discharging the products ofcombustion, a reversible fan mounted in the casing substantially coaxialtherewith and constructed and arranged to induce a current of airselectively in either direction through the casing, a plurality ofshutters pivotally mounted in the side of the frame opposite the fan inposition when open to afford free passage for the air currenttherethrough, and to interrupt said passage when closed and form, withthe frame and. cover, a plenum chamber, and means providing air passagesleading from the plenum chamber through the heating unit and out throughthe opposite side of the frame from said cover.

2. In a combined space heating and ventilating apparatus, a relativelydeep frame, a cover for the frame having an opening therein, a frustoconical fan casing mounted on the cover and communicating with saidopening in the cover, a reversible electric fan mounted in the casing inposition to induce a current of air in one direction therethrough whenventilating and in the opposite direction when heating, there being asecond opening in said cover extending along one side of the frameadjacent the first :mena fuel burning heating unit embodying an enclosedhousing mounted over and communicating with said second opening, a hotair duct communicating with the heating unit housing and disposed todischarge hot air at the opposite side of the frame from said cover, anenclosed combustion chamber within the heating unit housing and spacedtherefrom to define air passages between the housing and the combustionchamber, means to supply fuel to the combusti'on chamber, a plurality ofshutters pivotally mounted in the frame opposite the fan in positionwhen open for-ventilating purposes to Y 3. In a combined heating andventilating apparatus, a relatively deep frame, a cover for the framehaving an opening therein, a fan casing mounted on the cover andcommunicating with said opening in the cover, a reversible electric '7fan mounted in the casing in position to induce a current of air in onedirection therethrough when ventilating and in the opposite directionwhen heating, there being a second opening in said cover extending alongone side of the frame adjacent the first mentioned opening, a fuelburning heating unit embodying an enclosed housing mounted over andcommunicating with said secand opening, an enclosed combustion chamberwithin the heating unit housing and spaced therefrom to define airpassages between the housing and the combustion chamber, means to supplyfuel to the combustion chamber, a hot air duct joined to the housing anddisposed to discharge hot air at the opposite side of the frame fromsaid cover, a partition in the hot air duct extending longitudinally ofthe housing and joined along one edge of the combustion chamber and atits opposite edge to the inner side of the duct, there being an openingin the inner 1 side of said duct inwardly of said partition andcommunicating with said housing for the entrance of air thereinto, and aplurality of shutters pivotally mounted in the frame opposite the fan inposition when open for ventilating purposes to afford free passage ofthe air therethrough and to interrupt said passage and form a plenumchamber when closed for heating, said plenum chamber communicating withthe housing through the opening in the inner side of the hot air duct.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 in which there is provided a flue forthe gases of combustion leading from the combustion chamber outwardly ofthe housing and an air conduit surrounding the flue and communicating atone end with the plenum chamber and at the other end with the housing.

5. In a combined heating and ventilating apparatus, a relatively deepframe, a cover for the frame having an opening therein, a fan casingmounted on the cover and extending outwardly from said opening in thecover, a reversible electhe fan mounted in the casing in position to in-:duce a current of air in one direction therethrough, when ventilatingand in the opposite direction when heating, there being a second openingin said cover extending along one side of the frame adjacent the firstmentioned opening, a :fuel burning heating unit embodying an "enclosedhousing mounted over and communicating'withsaid second opening,anenclose'd combustion chamber within the heating unit and spacedtherefrom, a hot air duct joined to the housing and discharging hot airat the opposite side of the frame from said cover, a partition in saidhot :air duct extending longitudinally of the housing and joined at oneedge to the comzbusti'on chamber and at its opposite edge to the: innerside of the duct, there being an opening in the inner side of said ductinwardly of said partition "and communicating with said housing for theentrance of air thereinto, means in the side of the frame opposite thefan interrupting the flow of air through the frame and forming fa plenumchamber when heating, said plenum chamber communicating with the housingthrough the opening in the side of the hot air duct, a reversibleelectric motor and an electric circuit connected to the fan foroperating said fan in one direction when ventilating, a reversing switchinterposed in said circuit to operate pivotally mounted in the the fanin a reverse direction when heating, means to supply fuel to saidcombustion chamber when heating, a separate electric circuit controllingthe supply of fuel, a switch in said latter circuit, and meansoperatively associated-with the reversing switch to obstruct the closingof the switch in said latter circuit except when the reversing switch isin position for the fan to run in a direction for heating.

6. In a combined heating and ventilating apparatus, a relatively deepframe, a cover for the frame having an opening therein, a fan casingmounted on the cover and extending outwardly from said opening in thecover, a reversible electric fan mounted in the casing in position toinduce a current of air in one direction therethrough when ventilatingand in the opposite direction when heating, there being a second openingin said cover extending along one side of the frame adjacent the firstmentioned opening, a fuel burning heating unit embodying an enclosedhousing mounted over and communicating with said second opening, aplurality of shutters side of the frame opposite the fan in positionwhen open for ventilating purposes to afford free passage of an aircurrent therethrough and to interrupt said passage and form a plenumchamber when closed for heating, means affording passage for the aircurrent from the plenum chamber through the heating unit housing anddisposed to discharge the same at the opposite side of the frame fromsaid cover when the shutters are closed, a reversible electric motor andan electric circuit therefor connected to said fan to operate it in onedirection for ventilating, a reversing switch interposed in said circuitto operate said fan in a reverse direction for heating, means to opensaid shutters when operating as a ventilating unit, means to supply fuelto said combustion chamber, an electric circuit controlling the supplyof fuel, a switch in said latter circuit, and means operativelyassociated with the reversing switch to obstruct the closing of theswitch in said latter circuit except when the reversing switch is inposition fo the fan to run in a reverse direction.

7. The apparatus defined in claim 6 in which the means to operate theshutters comprises an electric motor and an electric circuit therefor,and a switch interposed in said latter circuit operatively connected toand operable in unison with the reversing switch.

8. The apparatus defined in claim 7 in which the electric motor isunidirectional in operation and operates to open the shutters when itsassociated switch is closed and the fan is running in a direction forventilating, and in which the shutters are closed by spring and linkagemeans.

GEORGE. E. CUNNINGHAM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,753,156 Otis .Apr. 1, 19301,872,785 Modine Aug. 23, 1932 1,888,730 Madison Nov. 22, 1932 2,037,857Fox Apr. 21, 1936

